WindowBlinds 6 Guide

Transcription

WindowBlinds 6 Guide
WindowBlinds Guide
1
Important: Read this before using your copy of
Stardock Corporation's WindowBlinds.
End User License Agreement
This user license agreement (the AGREEMENT) is an
agreement between you (individual or single entity)
and Stardock Corporation for the WindowBlinds
program (the SOFTWARE) that is accompanying this
AGREEMENT.
The SOFTWARE is the property of Stardock
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international copyright treaties. The SOFTWARE is
not sold, it is
licensed.
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example).
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if you change your main workstation. In such a case
you must uninstall the software from the old
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have purchased an adequate number of licenses.
The number of users must not exceed the number
of licenses you have purchased.
5. Make a copy of the SOFTWARE for archival
purposes only.
(continued…)
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YOU MAY NOT:
1. Copy and distribute the SOFTWARE or any portion
of it except as expressly provided in this Agreement.
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(continued…)
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COPYRIGHT NOTICE
The Company and/or our Licensors hold valid
copyright in the Software. Nothing in this Agreement
constitutes a waiver of any rights under U.S.
Copyright law or any other federal or state law.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT: YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT
YOU HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT, UNDERSTAND
IT AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY ITS TERMS AND
CONDITIONS. YOU ALSO AGREE THAT THIS
AGREEMENT IS THE COMPLETE AND EXCLUSIVE
STATEMENT OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN YOU
AND THE COMPANY AND SUPERCEDES ALL
PROPOSALS OR PRIOR ENDORSEMENTS, ORAL OR
WRITTEN, AND ANY OTHER COMMUNICATIONS
BETWEEN YOU AND THE COMPANY OR ANY
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THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS AGREEMENT.
Developed and Published by:
Stardock Corporation
15090 Beck Road - Suite 300
Plymouth, MI 48170 USA
www.stardock.com
Stardock is a registered trademark of Stardock
Systems, Inc. WindowBlinds is a trademark of
Stardock Corporation.
.UIS format and contents (c) copyright Stardock
Corporation 1998-2008. Image resources included
with visual styles remain copyright their respective
authors.
(c) 1998-2008 Stardock Corporation.
All trademarked names mentioned in this document
and SOFTWARE are used for editorial purposes only,
with no intention of infringing upon the trademarks.
No part of this publication may be reproduced
without written permission from Stardock
Corporation.
All rights reserved.
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Welcome to WindowBlinds
WindowBlinds is a software utility that allows you to completely change the look and feel of Microsoft
Windows. It works by applying new visual styles, also called skins, across the entire user interface (i.e.
title bars, buttons, start menu, taskbar, etc.) of the operating system. As a result, you gain complete
control over the way Windows looks.
Features of WindowBlinds 6 (Enhanced Version)
Includes all of the features of WindowBlinds 6 trail version, plus the following:
• Skin non-theme aware programs.
• Skin unsigned per pixel skins
• Change color/hue/brightness on the fly.
• Change toolbar icons of Internet Explorer and Explorer type windows..
• Change progress animations.
• Semi-transparent, Explorer backgrounds.
Features of WindowBlinds 6 (30 day Trial Version)
Most features are available in this trail, but after 30 days WindowBlinds will stop working.
• Skin Theme-Aware programs.
• Skin Windows Start Bar.
• Add surfaces to dialog windows.
• Skin different programs with different skins.
• Skin Explorer Views (shell styles).
• Add more title bar buttons (roll-up, etc..).
• Skin scrollbars and toolbar icons.
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System Requirements
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Windows Vista (32-bit or 64-bit), Windows XP (32-bit or 64-bit) or
Windows 2003 Server (32-bit or 64-bit).
60 MB free drive space.
256 MB RAM.
16 MB DirectX 8 or later compatible video card with appropriate driver support is required for
per-pixel, alpha-blended skins. Some integrated graphics solutions and lower-end cards from
before 2004 may not be able to use per-pixel skins.
1024x768 minimum supported display resolution.
Languages Supported:
Azerbaijani, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Japanese, Korean,
Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese - BR, Russian, Spanish, Serbian (Srpski), Swedish, Turkish
Note: The interface has been localized for these languages, but the documentation and help
(where available) will be in English.
A Note on Drivers and Compatibility
WindowBlinds has been designed and tested to be as compatible with thousands of applications and
pieces of hardware available. Its memory load is quite low (unless you are using complex skins with lots
of animation) and any oddities with specific apps can generally be worked around quickly.
Upgrading
Install the new WindowBlinds version and reboot when prompted. When upgrading from previous
versions, WindowBlinds will automatically move visual styles to the new folder and perform cleanup.
Updates
The most convenient way to get updates for WindowBlinds is by installing Stardock Central (SDC), which
requires internet connectivity. With SDC you can register your Stardock products, download updates, join
in discussions, chat, read Stardock news, browse for other software, visit the Stardock web site, get new
visual styles, purchase software, and blog. The SDC will display what version of WindowBlinds you have
installed and the version number of any available update. WindowBlinds is listed under Object Desktop
software.
If you decide not to install Stardock Central, you can get updates from: www.Stardock.com/Support/ .
Type in the email address you used when ordering WindowBlinds originally and an email will be sent to
you with a link to the latest version (build).
File Types
The following is a list of common file types used by WindowBlinds:
• .SSS - are substyles, slightly different versions of the skin.
• .UIS - is an INI type text file with instructions for WindowBlinds on how to handle the substyle.
See www.WindowBlinds.net for information on the UIS Language.
• .WBA - is a compressed ZIP file containing a skin downloaded from the internet. It includes all of
the files that make up a skin (i.e. SSS, UIS, BMP, TGA, JPG).
• .ZIP - of a skin downloaded from the internet, may contain all of the above plus other files (i.e.
BMP, TGA, JPG).
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Installing Additional Visual Styles
To download over 4,100 free WindowBlinds visual styles (skins), please visit: www.wincustomize.com.
WindowBlinds skins have the file extension of .WBA or .ZIP (compressed file). After downloading, there
are a few ways you can install the new skin:
• The best way to install a new skin is to let WindowBlinds handle it. On the
tab, select
“Add visual styles”, then "I want to install the skin from a file on my computer". Locate the .WBA
or .ZIP and WindowBlinds will add it to the list of installed skins to choose from.
• Alternately if using Windows XP, you can add the skin through Display Properties (covered in
Appendix A). Right-click on the open desktop, select “Properties”, and then click on the
button and an Explorer window will open. Use it to locate the
“Appearance” tab. Click the
to add it or
new skin file (.WBA or .ZIP file format) on your computer system. Then click
to abort.
• The last method is to add the skin outside of WindowBlinds using Windows Explorer by double
clicking on the (.WBA) file to install it. Then when you run WindowBlinds, the new visual style
will be included in the list of styles and can be applied to your desktop.
Compatibility
WindowBlinds visual styles are both forward and backward compatible, unless otherwise noted. This
means you can install visual themes made for older versions of WindowBlinds. This is a unique feature,
which gives you access to a large library of free skins.
Default File Paths
Windows Vista:
WindowBlinds (program files) are located under:
C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\WindowBlinds
WindowBlinds (visual styles) are located under:
C:\Users\Public\Documents\Stardock\WindowBlinds
Windows XP:
WindowBlinds (program files) are located under:
C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\WindowBlinds
WindowBlinds (visual styles) are located under:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\Stardock\WindowBlinds
Creating Your Own Visual Styles
Create your own visual styles (skins) with SkinStudio (www.skinstudio.net)! See www.WindowBlinds.net
for information on the UIS Language, used in creating new styles.
Documentation
The majority of the screenshots in this documentation are from Windows Vista, with some from Windows
XP. Unless a screenshot is noted as being for Windows XP, assume it's from Vista. Some features are
only visible in Vista or XP, these will be noted. For the most up to date WindowBlinds Guide, please check
our Wiki at wiki.wincustomize.com.
Comments or suggestions for this documentation please send to [email protected].
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WindowBlinds Table of Contents
Cover
End User License Agreement (EULA)
Welcome to WindowBlinds
Features of WindowBlinds 6 (Enhanced Version)
Features of WindowBlinds 6 (30 day Trial Version)
System Requirements
A Note on Drivers and Compatibility
Upgrading from Previous Versions
Updates
File Types
Installing Additional Visual Styles
Compatibility
Default File Paths
Creating Your Own Visual Styles
Documentation
Table of Contents
Introducing WindowBlinds Configuration
What is a Visual Style?
Terminology Used in WindowBlinds
Differences Between Windows Vista and XP
Look & Feel: Visual Styles
Available Skins
Options to View Skins
Filter by Category
Skin Options
Preview Pane
Substyles
Random Skin Settings
Visual Styles Quick Reference
Look & Feel: Colours
Presets
Creating a Preset
Deleting a Preset
Viewing List of Saved Presets
Brightness and Other Settings
Inverted Colour
Remove Colour
Changing the Colour
Hue and Saturation
Colour Richness
Advanced HSL Colouring
Change System Colours
Colours Quick Reference
Look & Feel: Fonts
Font Size
Disabling Font Options
Changing Fonts
Changing System & Other Fonts
Fonts Quick Reference
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Look & Feel: Transparency & Blur
Preview
Presets
Creating a Preset
Deleting a Preset
Transparency & Blur
Blur
I Want to Change...
Windows XP Exceptions
Examples
Vista-izeTM Me
Transparency & Blur Quick Reference
Look & Feel: Sidebar (Windows Vista Only)
Changing the Sidebar Skin
Create a New Sidebar Skin
Edit Sidebar Skin
Look & Feel: Toolbar Icons (Windows XP Only)
Changing the Toolbar Icons
Returning to Skin Default
Look & Feel: Explorer Animations (Windows XP Only)
Changing an Animation
Returning to Default Skin Animations
Changing to Default OS Animations
Wallpapers: Change My Wallpaper
Change my Wallpaper
Adding a Tag
Deleting a Tag
Wallpaper Settings
Grid View
Use Skin Wallpaper
Wallpapers: Random Wallpaper Settings
When to Change My Wallpaper
Wallpapers for the Random List
Settings: Override Default Settings
Overriding WindowBlinds
Skinning Settings
Skinning Settings (Windows XP)
Shellstyle (Windows XP)
Titlebar Settings
Settings: Advanced User Settings
Fading
Pulsing
Additional Options
Settings: Change the Look of an App
Add Per Application Setting
Modify Settings
Delete Application Setting
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System Info
Copy Text for Support
Disabling Per Pixel Borders
Disabling Per Pixel Borders (Windows XP)
Corrupted Titlebar Buttons & Text Backgrounds (Windows XP)
About
Stardock Website
Changing the User Interface Colour
Changing the Language
Appendix A: Display Properties (Windows XP)
Display Properties
Appearance Tab
Changing the Skin
Changing the Substyle
Gamma Adjustment
Changing the Font
Adding a New Skin
Deleting a Skin
Launching Stand-alone WindowBlinds
Effects
Advanced Settings
Appendix B: Language Translation
Languages Already Translated
Submitting to Stardock
Reference
Glossary
Resources
Problems?
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Introducing WindowBlinds Configuration
To run WindowBlinds, locate the
Stardock, then Object Desktop) and click on it.
icon on your Start Menu (under (All) Programs, then
You will see the WindowBlinds Configuration window open, which consists of: a menu along the top
(Look & Feel), a sub-menu underneath that (Visual Styles), a menu down the left side (Change visual
style colour), a preview area to the right of that and a selection of styles (skins) along the bottom. The
preview area displays what visual style your desktop is wearing, currently it's set to Windows Aero. The
preview shows what that looks like on your Start Menu, a sample window (seen with folders inside),
wallpaper and task bar (bottom of screen).
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The menu running along the top of the window allows you to navigate between: Look & Feel,
Wallpapers, Settings, System info and an About screen. Most of the menu items have a sub-menu, which
will be covered in-depth later in this document.
What is a Visual Style?
In WindowBlinds, the computer graphics (i.e. colour (color), style) is referred to as any of the following:
Visual Style, Skin, or Personality. These terms all refer to the same thing and are used interchangeably in
WindowBlinds and this documentation. Though the term "Skin" is the most common. The term Texture
is also used to refer to the colouring & pattern of the skin graphics.
Terminology Used in WindowBlinds
Your Windows desktop is made up of a number of separate items that WindowBlinds and this
documentation will refer too. To help you understand the terms used, here are some of the most
common ones.
Default (as used in this documentation) means that when an option (i.e. checkbox, menu choice) is set to
say, "Play sounds defined by the skin (if any)". And it has a checked box, that means that this option
was set that way when WindowBlinds was installed (or how Windows is setup when new). This is handy,
in case you want to return a setting to the default.
A Dialog Box asks you do something, such as this "Delete tag" box. It's a simple Yes or No (or Close)
and includes: window frame, titlebar, and buttons that can be skinned:
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The System Tray is (by default) in the lower, right-hand corner of your screen with the clock.
The Taskbar is (by default) located on the bottom on your desktop and may including minimized
applications / windows. The Start button (to open the Start menu) is located on the far left.
The Titlebar is the top most frame of a window, and typically includes: an icon (far left) that if you click
will open the system menu, title of the application or window, and buttons (minimize, maximize, close).
The User Interface (UI) is what you see on the screen when an application runs, such as: window, frame,
title bar, buttons, various types of menus, etc..
The Wallpaper is the graphic image (or color) of the background on your desktop (monitor).
The Window Frame is around each window, each skin can change the colour and style of this frame.
Differences Between Windows Vista and XP
There are some options in WindowBlinds that are only available (visible) in Windows Vista and others
only in Windows XP. This manual will notify you if a feature is for one operating system (Vista) or the
other (XP), otherwise assume it's available for both versions of Windows.
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Look & Feel: Visual Styles
When WindowBlinds is started for the first time, you will see two menus running along the top. By
default
is selected on the main (top) menu. The menu beneath it is a sub-menu of related
options and
is selected (default).
The Windows XP sub-menu looks like this:
Clicking the help
WindowBlinds.
icon located in the upper, right-hand corner of the window will display information on
The Visual Styles area is where you can select a skin and apply it to your desktop. On the Left side, you
will see the following menu:
The name of the current skin (or the one in the preview area), who created it and skin type (i.e. UIS1,
Perpixel UIS1, UIS2, Perpixel UIS2) is displayed at the top of the menu. "Perpixel UIS2" are very
common for newer skins. The "Perpixel" means the skin supports semi-transparent frames, rather than
the usual basic shaped frames. As you click on each skin in the list, the name of it will be displayed here
and the preview pane will show what the skin looks like.
The first option is "Change visual style colour" which is will change to the
under
.
tab on the sub-menu
The second option will load Stardock's SkinStudio if it's installed on your computer, otherwise it will open
your web browser with the SkinStudio web site. SkinStudio is the editor used to create/edit skins for
WindowBlinds.
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The third option allows you to "Delete this visual style", you may be prompted with the following prompt
which asks you to select a skin (personality) first.
Or once you select a skin to delete, you will see this dialog box asking if you are sure you want to delete
the selected skin files.
Clicking
the deletion.
will erase the skin from your hard-drive. Clicking
or
button will abort
The fourth option, "Add visual styles" will prompt you for places to find them. If you select "Download
from www.wincustomize.com", your web browser will open and display the WinCustomize web site.
From there, under Category, select "WindowBlinds" and it will display a list of skins you can download.
WindowBlinds skins are forward & backward compatible, unless otherwise noted. Meaning that you can
download & install newer or older skins than your version of WindowBlinds. Being backward compatible
includes a huge free library of skins to download (over 4,100)!
The other option is "I want to install the skin from a file on my computer", this will ask you to locate the
file(s) using an Explorer type window. By default, it will open files with extensions .WBA and .ZIP
(compressed).
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Locate the skin(s) on your computer and click the
return to the Visual Styles window.
button or click on
to abort and
Lastly, the fifth menu option is "Apply my changes". After selecting the skin from the list, click on "Apply
my changes" and your desktop will be changed. Alternately, (shortcut method) you can double-click on
the desired skin and it will have the same effect.
Available Skins
Below this menu is a list of skins you can apply to your desktop. The skins (by default) are shown
horizontally across the bottom of the window. Each includes a portion of the skin (color), title of the skin,
and who created it. When you first start WindowBlinds in (Vista), either Windows Aero or Windows
Classic is shown as the currently applied skin (selected). A selected skin has a gray color surrounding it
(Windows Aero is selected in the following picture).
Windows XP - has the first two skins different from Vista (see below), but the remaining five skin choices
are the same.
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Right clicking on a skin, opens a menu of options similar to the left side menu. "Install skin from disk" is
the same as the "Add visual styles" option on the side menu. It will prompt you for downloading new
skins or locating them on your computer. "Edit in SkinStudio" opens SkinStudio if installed, otherwise it
opens the web site in your browser. "Change visual style colour" changes to the
tab. "Delete this
skin" (Delete this visual style) allows you to delete the skin. "Set category" allows you to change the
category for the currently selected skin to anything in the list. You can then filter on this by using "Filter
by category". "Apply this skin now" changes your desktop visual style to the skin you clicked on.
Options to View Skins
There are a few options that allow you to view the skins, these options are seen under the side menu
and above the list of skins.
grid icon, changes the view to show a larger number of skins at one time.
Clicking on this
WindowBlinds comes with four skins, but you can download many more from a large selection on
www.WinCustomize.com. These options may appear on this screen, and will be covered later: "Filter by
Category", "Skin Options" and "Random skin settings".
To return to the preview mode with the skins along the bottom & the preview pane, click on this
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Filter by Category
As you add more skins to WindowBlinds, there are options to help you organize and quickly find the ones
you want. Because this is a newer feature, some older skins don't include category support. Clicking on
"Filter by Category" will display a scrollable list of categories (all checked by default).
(By default), all of the categories have been selected (all boxes checked). To view only "People" skins,
you would click "Select none", then click on the checkbox next to "People", which will place a check in the
box. Then click on "Filter by category" and it will close the category list and display only those skins
matching the "People" category.
Other options on the category list are "Select all" which selects all of the listed categories by checking all
of the boxes. The other option is "Select none" which deselects (un-checks) all of the categories. And
finally, you can sort the list of categories by clicking on the "Sort by name" at the bottom of the list. This
will open a small pull-down window listing other sort options: Sort by name, Sort by author, and Sort by
installed date. Click "Filter by category" to close the category listing.
Skin Options
If you click on "Skin options", a pull-down menu appears with a number of options. The first four will
look familiar, as they are identical to the left-side menu choices.
The fifth option is "Rebuild List" which updates the list of skins, if you manually add/remove skins (i.e.
extracting a ZIP) from your computer outside of WindowBlinds (e.g. using Windows Explorer).
WindowBlinds maintains a database of installed skins that both it & SkinStudio use. Rebuilding this list,
actually updates the database.
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The sixth option is "Set skin category" which will open a dialog box with a pull-down menu. Clicking the
pull-down menu will display a list of categories (the same ones under "Filter by category"). This allows
you to change the category for the currently selected skin to anything in the list. You can then filter on
this by using "Filter by category".
This allows you to select just one category. Select a category from the list and click
to close without changing anything.
accept the choice or
button to
The seventh option is "Apply my changes" which acts the same as "Apply my changes" on the left-side
menu. After selecting a skin, clicking on this will change your desktop to the desired skin.
Preview Pane
To the right of the (above) menu, is the preview pane which allows you to see a sample of your desktop
with the selected skin. By default, the preview shows your whatever theme your operating system is
using when you run WindowBlinds.
As you click on each skin in the menu (below the preview area), you will see the sample Start menu,
explorer window, Taskbar, etc. change. This allows you to preview a skin before applying it to your
computer.
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Using the preview helps you see what a skin will look like, however it may not show you everything the
skin can offer you. Take the Molten skin for example, the preview shows the following:
It's easy to apply a skin to your computer, after clicking on the skin from the list either double-click the
skin (in the list) or click on "Apply my changes" on menu. Then you can see fully what the skin has to
offer. Try opening your Start menu, different applications, Windows Explorer, etc.. For Windows Vista,
the preview doesn't show what your Sidebar (Gadgets) will look like. So explore and check out all of the
skins. This is what the Start menu looks like for Molten on Vista:
The wallpaper was changed to put our dragon friend in a better setting. When you open the Start menu,
the dragon is animated and opens/closes his mouth, moves while flapping his wings and has green
pulsating eyes. There is animated fire along the top of the Start menu and lava following down the right
side of the menu. Don't get burned!
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Substyles
For each skin there maybe substyles (or compound skins), such as choices of colour. If you click on the
"Classic" skin you will notice the following option appear (under the preview pane and to the right) with a
pull-down menu.
Opening the pull-down menu, displays a list of colour choices for that visual style.
Regardless which operating system you’re running (Vista or XP), you can select any from the list and the
preview pane will be updated.
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Random Skin Settings
Now click on the "Random Skin" and you will see the option changes to "Random skin settings". Clicking
on "Random skin settings", a new window will open with everything grayed out (inactive). By (default),
"Pick a random skin from any installed skins" is checked. However, unchecking this box displays the
following (active) choices:
This gives you the ability to
just the skins you want in the random selection. The above picture
shows three skins have been selected (e.g. Classic, Diamond, Molten). If you add a skin(s) you decide
. You can also
skins to the selection, then
you don't want, click on that skin, then click
ones you don't want or click
to accept the changes. If you added a number of skins, but
and all of the skins will be removed from the box. Finally,
decided to start over, simply click
clicking
will save the changes you made and return you to the Visual Styles screen. If you click
, it will close the window and (abort) not save any changes you made.
tab, make changes to the "Random
Note: It is possible to select the "Random Skin" from the
screen, make sure you
skin settings" without actually applying the "Random skin". So on the
click "Apply my changes" for the selection to take effect.
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Visual Styles Quick Reference
Action
Do this
Determine what skin my
computer is currently wearing.
When you start up WindowBlinds, the currently applied skin will be
selected in the menu, the name will appear on the side menu and the
preview will display it as well.
Select a skin (visual style) &
preview it.
To select a skin from the menu and it will be displayed in the preview
view, you must change back to preview
area. If you’re in grid
mode. Selecting Random Skin won't display anything in preview,
because it includes multiple skins.
Apply skin to my desktop.
After selecting a skin, click "Apply my changes" from the menu
on the left.
Change view of skins.
From the preview mode, click the grid
view icon to view multiple
icon.
skins. To return to the preview mode, click the
Filter skins by category.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Download more skins.
1. Click on "Add visual styles" and it will prompt you for places to
find new skins.
2. Select "Download from www.wincustomize.com", your web
browser will open and display the WinCustomize web site.
3. From there, under Category, select "WindowBlinds" and it will
display a list of skins you can download.
4. After downloading, run WindowBlinds, and select "Add visual
styles".
5. Select "I want to install the skin from a file on my computer".
6. Locate the downloaded file (.WBA or .ZIP format) and click
to install the skin.
7. Then select the skin from the WindowBlinds menu and click "Apply
my changes".
Add a skin from disk.
1. Click on "Add visual styles" and it will prompt you for places to
find new skins.
2. Select "I want to install the skin from a file on my computer".
to install
3. Locate the file (.WBA or .ZIP format) and click
the skin.
4. Then select the skin from the WindowBlinds menu and click "Apply
my changes".
Edit a skin in SkinStudio.
1. Select the skin you want to edit.
2. Click on "Edit in SkinStudio" and it will launch.
WindowBlinds Guide
Click "Filter by category".
Check only the categories you want.
If desired, change the sort order.
Click "Filter by category" and it will close the category list and
display only those skins matching the "People" category.
23
Visual Styles Quick Reference (Continued)
Action
Do this
Select a different substyle
(colour) for a skin.
1. Select a skin.
2. If there are other colour options (substyles) available, a menu will
appear under the preview on the right. Select the desired colour
scheme from the menu.
3. Click "Apply my changes" to change your desktop.
Change colour of skin.
1. Click on "Change visual style colour" to go to the
tab.
2. If needed, refer to the instructions on the
tab on how to
change colours.
Delete selected skin.
1. Select the skin to delete.
2. Click on "Delete this visual style".
will erase the skin from your hard-drive.
3. Clicking
or
button will abort the deletion.)
(Clicking
Update skin database after
1. Click on "Skin options".
manually deleting or adding skins 2. Select "Rebuild List" and WindowBlinds will search your hard-drive
from ZIP's outside WindowBlinds.
and update its skin database.
Change category of a skin.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Right click on a skin.
Select "Set category".
Choose the desired category from the pull-down menu.
.
Click
Select random skins.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Select "Random Skin".
Click on "Random skin settings".
.
Make desired changes & click
Click "Apply my changes" to change your desktop.
WindowBlinds Guide
24
Look & Feel: Colours
Locate & click on
menu option near the top of the window on the
sub-menu.
The screen changes to display a preview area and number of settings, which allow you to change the
colour of the selected (applied) skin. The following picture shows the "Classic" skin has been applied to
the desktop. At anytime after making changes, you can apply the changes to your desktop by clicking
button in the upper, left-hand corner of the screen.
the
Presets
A "Preset" is a way to save the changes you make to the colour(s) of a skin. This way you can have a
number of presets: for yourself, each member of your family, for different purposes, etc.. First, click on
the "Change setting for all skins" pull-down menu.
WindowBlinds Guide
25
If you want the changes your going to make affect all of the installed skins, "Change setting for all skins"
is already selected. However, if you want to create a "preset", click on "Create new / delete preset..."
from the menu.
Then you will see the following window open with options to
create presets, they will be listed in the center box.
and
presets. As you
Creating a Preset
Clicking the
button will open a dialog box asking you for to type in the name of the preset.
You can name it anything, use something descriptive, spaces are okay. For this first one, I've called it
"Classic favorite", because it uses the "Classic" skin and it's my going to be my favorite setup.
You need to select from the pull-down menu, which substyle you want to use as a base for your changes.
In this case, I've selected "Classic (Vista) Yellow". You can select any item on the menu, even if your
button and you will
running Windows XP you can select the "(Vista)" version. Now click on the
see the preset listed in the box.
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26
If you change your mind and you don't want to create a preset, you could have clicked either the
icon (in the upper right corner) to cancel any changes.
button or the close
Deleting a Preset
I've created additional presets as the following screen shows. If at any time you want to delete a preset,
button.
from this screen simply click on the one you want to delete and click the
When deleting a preset, you will be prompted with a confirmation (Yes/No). Click on the
button to
button or the close
icon.
delete the preset. To cancel the delete, either click on the
Click
on the "Create and delete preset" window to return to the "Colours" tab. Now you will
see a preset listed in the saved presets. Click on the preset pull-down again and see the list of other
saved presets. Here we select "Joe gaming skin colors". Now whatever changes are made will
automatically be saved to this preset.
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27
Brightness and Other Settings
Checking the box for "Change the brightness of the skin" allows you to move the slider icon to the left
(darker) or right (lighter) to change the brightness of the skin in the preview box. Changing the
brightness affects the colour of the skin with some interesting results. Notice how the minimize, restore
buttons on the window frame have a hint of yellow while surrounded by a darker orange colour.
button (upper right corner) to change your desktop to the changes you made. To
Click the
reset the brightness to the default (original) setting, either click "Reset" or uncheck the box for "Change
the brightness of the skin".
Inverted Colour
Another option is to "Invert the colours of skin" which changes the colours to opposites on the colour
scale. As seen below, our yellow skin has now become blue by selecting this option.
Remove Colour
The next feature allows you to "Remove all colour from the skin". Checking the box, the preview now
shows shades of gray in the preview.
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28
Changing the Colour
You can change the brightness, invert colours and remove all colour from a skin. However if you want to
change the actual colours, check the box next to "I want to adjust the colour of my skin" and you will see
additional options on the left appear.
Hue and Saturation
Then you can move the slider icon to change the "Hue" and "Saturation" using the more accurate
method of HSL (Hue Saturation Luminance) based colouring (luminance can't be adjusted). Notice "Use
HSL based colouring" has been checked by default. Think of Hue as the tint of the colour. Saturation can
be described as the purity of a colour or the intensity or "the degree of difference from a gray of the
same lightness or brightness" (American Heritage Dictionary, www.dictionary.com).
For Hue, as you move the icon left to right you will see the tint of the colour in the preview change the
skin. You can either drag the slider icon or click anywhere along the slider's path and the slider will
jump to that spot.
For Saturation, as you move the icon to the far left the preview colour will appear darker and more
dull. Moving it to the far right the preview will become brighter in colour.
Colour Richness
Colour Richness offers a way to make changes to skin colouring by lowering (Less Rich) or raising
saturation (Richer) without using the sliders. Click on the desired effect and watch the preview for
changes to the skin. If you move the slider for Saturation, notice how "Colour richness" changes to
"Custom Colour Levels". If you want to change back to the how it was before you made changes, select
"Default Colour Levels" from the list.
WindowBlinds Guide
29
Advanced HSL Colouring
To alter colours by using more advanced HSL settings, click on this
icon (right of Hue setting) and it
will display additional settings on the right side. By checking the box for "Use advanced HSL colouring",
it will allow you to either move the slider or click along the bar. Watch the preview for changes. Notice
there are two rainbow like horizontal bars with colours. The second bar (underneath top) is shorter, this
is the range and can be shortened or lengthened by moving the "Colour range" slider icon from the left
(shorter) to right (larger range).
tool to select a more exact color from along the coloured lines (within
You can use the eyedropper
icon & holding down the left mouse button.
10% of a given colour). Do this by first clicking on the
Move the eyedropper over the coloured bar, while watching the colour change below the other
eyedropper . When you find the desired colour, release your left mouse button. Some colours may
not make as much of a change in the preview as other colours.
Another way to select the colour more precisely, is to click on the actual colour under "Colour to change"
. This will open the following Color dialog box.
WindowBlinds Guide
30
First click on a box under "Custom colors" where you want to store your new color. Then click on any of
the colours under "Basic Colors" in the color range you’re interested in, then do one of the following:
•
•
•
button to have it added to the "Custom colors" box OR
Click the
Move the cursor in the colored box (rainbow of colors) on the right by clicking anywhere within
that area. The color will change in the "Color/Solid" box below and when you have found the
button OR
desired color, click the
Type in the numeric values in the boxes (lower right-hand corner). The color should appear in
button.
the "Color/Solid" box, then click on on the
If you have multiple colours you have stored in the "Custom Colors" boxes, click on one, then click the
button to exit. If you don't want to save the colors you picked, either click the
button or
icon. To apply the colours to your desktop skin, click the
button.
the close
Change System Colours
To change specific items of a skin, click on "Change system colours..." located under the preview area
(right-side). This will open the following window, listing: any available substyles, items of the skin (varies
by skin) with their current colour and a button to change the colour.
The first thing to do is to select a substyle of the skin you want to edit. You can select one on the list or
create a new substyle.
WindowBlinds Guide
31
If you want to create a new substyle, click on "Create new substyle" and the following dialog box opens.
Select a base to use as a substyle, type in a name and click
abort, without saving.
to save. Or click
or
to
After selecting the substyle (Example: Classic (Vista) Yellow), select what you want to edit. For this
example, I've selected (clicked on) "System Colour: Title Text" (bottom of list). Next, I click on the
button. Select a color and add it to the "Custom colors" box (or put one in the "Color/Solid"
button. (Note: This color dialog box works the same way as described
box) and click the
button is clicked to return to the
previously under HSL Advanced Colouring.) Then the
tab.
At this point, the preview will show the new color for the Window Title text as green. (If it doesn't
tab, then on the
tab.)
update for you, click on the
If your satisfied, click on the
button to update your desktop.
If you want to change back to the original colour the skin used for all items, and all substyles (not
including substyles you created), click on "Recover original" on the "Change skin colours" screen (Change
system colours...). You will be asked to confirm the decision.
Click
close
button to revert to the original version of colours for this skin. Or click either
icon to cancel and return to the previous screen.
WindowBlinds Guide
or the
32
Colours Quick Reference
Action
Do this
Create a new preset.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Delete a preset.
1. From the above menu, click on "Create new / delete preset...".
.
2. Click on the preset you wish to delete and click
3. Click
to return to the
tab.
Change the brightness.
1. Check the box "Change the brightness of the skin".
2. Move the slider icon to the left (darker) or right (lighter) to change
the brightness of the skin in the preview box.
when done.
3. Click
Invert the colours.
From the above menu, click on "Create new / delete preset...".
.
Click
Type in the name of the new preset.
.
Select the substyle. and click
to return to the
tab
Click
1. Check box for "Invert the colours of skin" and watch preview.
if satisfied with changes.
2. Click
Remove all colours.
3. Check box for "Remove all colour from the skin" and watch preview.
if satisfied with changes.
4. Click
Adjust colour of my skin.
1. Check box for "I want to adjust the colour of my skin".
2. Move the slider icons to change the Hue and Saturation, while
watching the preview.
to change your desktop
3. When happy with results, click
skin.
Use advanced HSL colouring.
1. Check box for "I want to adjust the colour of my skin".
icon to view HSL settings.
2. Then click on the
to select the desired
3. Move sliders and/or use the eyedropper
colour in the preview.
to update your desktop skin.
4. Click
Change system colours.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Click on "Change system colours".
Select the substyle.
Select system colour to edit.
and select colour using color picker box.
Click
Click
to exit Color (picker).
Change any other system colours & repeat steps 3 - 6.
When done, click
.
Click
Revert to original system
colours for the skin.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Click on "Change system colours".
Click "Recover original" colours for this skin.
Click
to confirm.
.
Click
Click
Preview changes
As you make changes on the
changes.
Apply changes to my skin.
After making changes, click on
WindowBlinds Guide
tab, the preview will reflect those
.
33
Look & Feel: Fonts
Locate & click on the
sub-menu.
The Fonts tab gives you options to change the size, font, disable shadow & text effects, and more.
Font Size
To change the size of the font, either drag the slider icon or click anywhere along the horizontal line
and the slider will jump to that spot. Moving the slider to far left will make the font smaller and to the far
right will make it larger.
Clicking the
button will move the slider back to the normal position for that skin. Then click on
to change your desktop skin.
Disabling Font Options
To disable shadow and text effects, check the box next to "I do not want shadow and outline text effects
used on controls". Controls are things such as buttons, check boxes, radio buttons, scroll bars, progress
to
bars, combo / list boxes, etc.. To re-enable it, simply uncheck the box. Then click on
change your desktop skin.
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To disable system wide fonts the skin uses, check the box for "I do not want to use any system wide
to change
fonts defined by this skin". To re-enable it, simply uncheck the box. Then click on
your desktop skin.
Changing Fonts
To change the font used by the skin, scroll the list to locate & select the desired font. Then click on
to your desktop.
To return to the font used by the skin, scroll to the top of the list and click on "Allow the skin to decide
.
on the fonts" and click on
Changing System & Other Fonts
To change fonts used in the skin for specific items, at the bottom of the window click on the text, "You
can change system fonts and other fonts defined in a skin by clicking here".
WindowBlinds Guide
35
This will open a window with the following; edit substyles (like on the Colours tab), select a specific font,
change the font, type of font (i.e. normal, bold), effect, and size. Then you can save changes for a font
and change another. You can also restore original font settings with "Recover original" (like on the
Colours tab).
First, select the substyle from the pull-down to change. You can also create a new substyle based on an
existing substyle to save your own changes. This is good so if you ever "Recover original" font settings
(for existing substyles), your changes won't be changed. If you created substyles on the Colours tab,
you can select one from the list and save font changes to it.
This works the same way as it did when creating a new substyle on the Colour tab.
WindowBlinds Guide
36
Select "Create new substyle", then type in a name for it and select the base skin from the
pull-down menu.
Click on
to save changes or to abort (no save), click on
or
. The saved substyle will
appear in the "Change skin fonts" pull-down menu. Next, select a font to edit by clicking on one in the
list.
On the left the item gives a brief title of what the font is applied to (i.e. Buttons - All States), followed by
the font type (i.e. Segoe UI), ending with the font size (i.e. -11). On the far right, it's: font type (i.e.
Segoe UI) and size (i.e. -11).
Then if you want to change the
text effect, select it from
this pull-down menu.
If you want to change what font
is used, select it from this list.
WindowBlinds Guide
37
Finally, to change the font size,
either select it from this list or
type the size into the box.
To change the style of the font,
select if from this list.
If you ever want to restore font settings (for built-in substyles, not ones you created) to the defaults for
to revert back or to cancel (abort), click
that skin, click on "Recover original". Then click on
or
. Now to save changes (to the desired substyle at the top), click on
. Now you
, and then click on
can select a different font to edit & save changes. Or you can click on
Fonts Quick Reference
Action
Do this
Change font size.
Move the slider
icon to the desired size and click
Restore font size.
Click the
button, then click on
Disable shadow & outline
text effects.
Check the box for "I do not want shadow and outline text effects used
.
on controls" & click
Disable system wide fonts
used by skin.
Check box for "I do not want to use any system wide fonts defined by
.
this skin" & click
Change font used by skin.
Select a font from the list of fonts and then click on
Restore font used by skin.
At the top of the list of fonts, click on "Allow the skin to decide on the
.
fonts" & click
Change specific system, and
other fonts used by skin.
1. Click "You can change system fonts and other fonts defined in a skin
by clicking here".
2. Select or create a substyle to store the changes.
3. Assign new fonts, sizes, effects and styles to each system area.
to save changes to the substyle.
4. When done, click
.
5. Click
to apply to your desktop skin.
6. Click on
Apply changes to my skin.
Click on
WindowBlinds Guide
.
.
.
.
38
Look & Feel: Transparency & Blur
option near the top of the window on the
sub-menu.
This tab gives you the ability to change the level of transparency & blur of a skin. Even if the skin you
like doesn't include these features, you can add them through this area. Transparency can be applied to
the: taskbar, menus, start menu and window frames. Transparency is how see-thru something is, the
less transparent the more opaque (solid in color).
When blur is added to a transparent area, it makes objects (i.e. text, icons, wallpaper) behind look fuzzy.
Without blur, the objects appear sharp in detail and text is readable. The preview area will reflect any
changes made on this screen.
WindowBlinds Guide
39
Here are some examples of transparency and blur to give you a better idea of what this looks like. The
"Classic" (Vista) Yellow skin is still in use, other skins may vary.
"Classic" (Vista) yellow skin
with default level of transparency
(middle on scale), no blur added.
More transparency and blur added.
Full transparency, no blur.
Full transparency and blur.
Preview
The preview area allows you to see changes made to the skin you selected. Sometimes, you can get a
and seeing it first hand on your desktop. The
better view of the changes by selecting
gray/white area on the left represents the Start menu.
Presets
Below the preview pane is the pull-down menu for Presets, including any you created on the other tabs.
You can leave the default of "Change setting for all skins", select a preset you created or create/delete a
new preset.
WindowBlinds Guide
40
Creating a Preset
To create a new preset, click on "Create / delete preset..." and you will see the following window:
tab are listed here. The same preset you create either
As you can see, the presets created on the
on the
tab or
tab can to used for both. If you hadn't created any presets, no presets
button will open a dialog box asking you for
would be listed until you created one. Clicking the
to type in the name of the preset. You can name it anything, use something descriptive, spaces are
okay.
You need to select from the pull-down menu, which substyle you want to use as a base for your changes.
In this case, I've selected "Classic (Vista) Yellow". You can select any item on the menu, even if your
running Windows XP you can select the "(Vista)" version. Now click on the
button and you will
see the preset listed in the box. If you change your mind and you don't want to create a preset, you
button or the close
icon (in the upper right corner) to cancel any
could have clicked either the
changes.
WindowBlinds Guide
41
Deleting a Preset
I've created additional presets as the following screen shows. If at any time you want to delete a preset,
button.
from this screen simply click on the one you want to delete and click the
When deleting a preset, you will be prompted with a confirmation (Yes/No). Click on the
button or the close
to delete the preset. To cancel the delete, either click on the
button
icon.
Click
on the "Create and delete preset" window. Now you will see a preset listed in the saved
presets. Click on the preset pull-down again and see the list of other saved presets. Here we select "Joe
gaming skin colors". Now whatever changes are made will automatically be saved to this preset.
WindowBlinds Guide
42
Transparency & Blur
To change how transparent an area is, drag the slider
the preview.
icon or click along the horizontal line and watch
The further you move the to the left, the more transparent (i.e. see-thru) the skin comes. Moving it
to the far right makes it less transparent (i.e. less see-thru, more opaque, solid in color). Click on "Skin
default" to return the to the original setting of the skin.
Blur
The default setting for Blur is "Only blur the background if the skin has blur enabled".
You can change the setting to disable blur by selecting (radio button) for "Never blur the background
even if the skin has blur enabled". The last option is to "Always blur the background", so it's always on
regardless if the skin supports the feature or not.
I Want to Change...
Below the Presets is another pull-down menu, which includes these options:
You can make changes to the: Taskbar (bar typically on the bottom of your screen), menus, Start menu
and window frames. Changes are made independently of each other, so you can change some or all
areas. You can also make changes to say the start menu, and something different for the taskbar.
Watch the preview as you make changes. To make changes, simply select one from the list and make
changes to the Transparency and/or Blur.
Windows XP Exceptions
I want to change how... Allows you to change
...the taskbar looks
Transparency & Blur.
...menus look
Only transparency.
...the startmenu looks
Only transparency.
...window frames look
Transparency & Blur - only if the skin (visual style) supports Per Pixel
tab, on
(semi-transparent) Frames. This is denoted on the
the left-side information menu for the skin. If you see "Perpixel" (i.e.
"Perpixel UIS1", "Perpixel UIS2") then the skin supports it and you will
be able to change the transparency and/or blur.
WindowBlinds Guide
43
Examples
Normal Taskbar (Classic Yellow Visual Style).
Taskbar - fully transparent. You can see
the wallpaper through the taskbar.
Menu - Right-click on desktop & this menu will appear. This shows some transparency & blur
enabled. You can see the desktop icons & wallpaper blurred.
Window Frame - showing Notepad.
Inactive - mouse clicked on desktop, changes
colour of frame, appearing more transparent.
Window Frame - showing Notepad
Active - mouse clicked on Notepad,
changes colour of frame.
Vista-izeTM Me
The Vista-izeTM me feature is located under the preview, and to the far right. It allows adds 95%
transparency and blur (if your version of Windows supports it) to these areas: title bar, menus, and
taskbar. If your running Vista and the skin you selected isn't using these features you can add them.
If your running Windows XP, you can make your desktop look like Vista.
to
When you click on the "Vista-izeTM me" link, you see the above message box. You can click
to change your desktop. Or you can
select the feature and see the preview before clicking
button. If you check the box for "Do not show me this message again", the
cancel by clicking the
next time you click "Vista-izeTM me" you won't see that message box. To disable the feature, click on
.
"Reset defaults" and click on
WindowBlinds Guide
44
Transparency & Blur Quick Reference
Action
Do this
Create a new preset.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
From the above menu, click on "Create new / delete preset...".
Click
.
Type in the name of the new preset.
.
Select the substyle. and click
to return to the
tab
Click
Select region to add
transparency and/or blur too.
1. From the above menu, select the region you want to change.
2. Make changes using the transparency slider icon and blur radio
buttons.
when done.
3. Click
Change transparency.
1. Under "How transparent would you like this to be?", move the
slider icon and watch the preview for the desired results.
when done.
2. Click
Change transparency back
to original skin setting (default).
Click on "Skin default", and then click
Always enable blur.
Select "Always blur the background" & click
Disable blur.
Select "Never blur the background even if the skin has blur enabled" &
.
click
Let skin decide if blur is used.
Select "Only blur the background if the skin has blur enabled" & click
.
Make skin look like Vista.
1. Click on "Vista-izeTM me".
2. Click
.
.
3. Click
UnVista-izeTM me.
Click on "Reset defaults", and then click on
Apply changes to skin.
After making the desired changes, click on the
WindowBlinds Guide
.
.
.
button
45
Look & Feel: Sidebar (Windows Vista Only)
sub-menu.
Because the sidebar and gadgets are features of the Windows Vista operating system, this tab is only
visible in Windows Vista. The Sidebar tab allows you to: change how the Windows Vista sidebar looks,
override skin settings and create a new sidebar skin.
Changing the Sidebar Skin
By default, "Use skin defined sidebar" is selected. You can change it to "Use OS default look" to change
to the way the Vista OS (Operating System) presents the sidebar. Or you can select one of the other
options, such as "Convex Sidebar Skin, "Diamond Skin", a new skin (if you created one) or others. As
to apply the sidebar
you select a new skin, it will be displayed in the preview area. Click on
skin to your desktop. Here is a sample of the "Convex Sidebar Skin" skin:
Convex Sidebar Skin
Wider & more edge shadow.
WindowBlinds Guide
Diamond Skin - narrower & less
shadow along the edge.
46
Create a New Sidebar Skin
To create your own unique sidebar skin, click on "Create a new sidebar skin". You will be prompted with
the following dialog box, prompting you to type in the "Title of sidebar skin" and "Author of sidebar
. To abort, click either
or
.
skin". After entering the information, click
The editor will open with a preview area and the option of editing each graphic image that makes up the
sidebar. Move the horizontal scroll bar to view all of the images. Initially, a new skin uses the Windows
Vista skin as a base for the graphic images. You can then edit the existing images or create entirely new
ones. If you don't replace every image, WindowBlinds will use the images you didn't replace with the
Vista theme images. This way your skin won't be missing graphics if you didn't replace all of the sidebar
images. This allows you to apply one change at time if desired, to see how it looks on your desktop.
When you create a new sidebar, a folder will be created under:
C:\Users\Public\Documents\Stardock\WindowBlinds\New Sidebar.sidebar (where "New Sidebar" is the
Title you named your sidebar, without quotes). Any images you create will be stored under this folder.
Since a sidebar can appear on either the right (default) or left side of the screen, the graphic images are
different (i.e. RightBackground, LeftBackground). Double-clicking on an image will launch your graphic
editor application or the Windows Photo Gallery.
If you’re graphic editor application (i.e. Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, Paint) opens:
1. Edit the image, save it and close the graphic editor and you will be returned to the WindowBlinds
"Edit Sidebar Skin" window.
2. If you wish to edit other images, double-click on each image and repeat step 1.
to close the "Edit Sidebar Skin" window and to return to the
3. Once you’re done, click on
window.
.
4. To apply your new skin, make sure it's selected (clicked on) and click on
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If Windows Photo Gallery opens instead:
and select the desired program to edit the image (i.e. Paint).
1. To edit the image, click on
2. Use the graphic editor program to edit & save the image.
3. After closing the graphic editor, you will be returned to Windows Photo Gallery with the updated
image shown in the preview.
to close Photo Gallery and return to the
4. If you wish to edit other images, click on
WindowBlinds "Edit Sidebar Skin" window. Then double-click on each image & repeat steps 1-4.
5. Once you’re done, click on
to close the "Edit Sidebar Skin" window and return to the
window.
.
6. To apply your new skin, make sure it's selected (clicked on) and click on
Edit Sidebar Skin
To edit an existing skin, click on the desired skin and click on "Edit sidebar skin" (under the preview
area). (Note: You won't see "Edit sidebar skin", if you selected "Use OS default look" or "Use skin
defined sidebar".) You can use this option to edit a theme you created or downloaded. You can edit the
sidebar skins that came with WindowBlinds (i.e. Convex Sidebar Skin, Diamond Skin) or other skins from
MyColors Themes (i.e. Magic, Quest, ...). But you should backup (copy to a different location) the
original skin images. Otherwise when you change the skin's images you will overwrite (destroy) the
original version and you won't be able to restore them.
Locate the original images under: C:\Users\Public\Documents\Stardock\WindowBlinds\<name of skin>
(where <name of skin> is the name of the skin your editing, without the "<" or ">" symbols). Editing a
skin is the same as creating a new one, except WindowBlinds won't ask you to enter the Title & Author.
for the changes to affect your desktop.
After making the desired changes, click on
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Look & Feel: Toolbar Icons (Windows XP Only)
This tab is visible only in Windows XP.
sub-menu.
This allows you to change the icons on the toolbar of Windows Explorer & Internet Explorer. You can
select from the basic Windows Vista icons, icons for the selected skin (visual style), or other installed
skins (i.e. downloaded, MyColors theme(s)). You can select to use WindowBlinds colour settings or not.
Also, you can use the current skin's icons (default) or use a set of icons you select from then menu (only
if the skin doesn't have any custom icons) or always use the set of icons you select from the menu.
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Changing the Toolbar Icons
You can preview each set of Toolbar Icons from the list in the preview area by clicking on a skin. Some
skins won't display any icons, such as: "Default Icons", "Classic", etc.. If you have MyColors theme(s)
installed (as the picture above shows: Detroit Pistons, Magic) those skins may not display icons.
Action
What it does
Use the WindowBlinds colouring
settings on these icons.
Checked (default), WindowBlinds will use colours
Based on its settings.
Unchecked, WindowBlinds won't use colours based on it's settings.
Always use the toolbar icons
defined in the current skin.
(Default) Uses the icons included in the visual style (skin) you
tab. If the skin doesn't include any icons,
applied on the
the default Windows XP icons will be displayed in Explorer
windows. If changing to this option after having a different icon
.
set applied, click on
If the skin has a toolbar icon set
defined then use it, otherwise
use the icon set selected below.
Uses the icons included in the visual style (skin) you applied on
tab. If the skin doesn't include any new icons,
the
WindowBlinds will use the icon set you select from the
menu. After selecting this option, click on an icon set and click on
.
Always use the selected
icon set selected below.
Uses the icon set you select from the menu. After selecting this
.
option, click on an icon set and click on
The following pictures show the difference between using the default toolbar icons the Classic skin uses
and the Diamond toolbar icons applied to the Classic skin. You can apply the toolbar icons from a
different skin, than the one you currently have applied to your desktop. This allows you to mix & match
icon sets to skins. If you don't like the toolbar icons with Diamond, change them to Molten or some
other icon set.
Classic skin - default Windows XP icons on toolbar.
Diamond skin - new icons on the toolbar.
Returning to Skin Default
If you want to return to the default Toolbar Icons for the Visual Style (skin) you applied on the
tab, simply select the option "Always use the toolbar icons defined in the current skin" option. If you had
unchecked the box for "Use the WindowBlinds colouring settings on these icons", check that box. Then
to return to your skin's toolbar icon set.
click on
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Look & Feel: Explorer Animations (Windows XP Only)
This tab is visible only in Windows XP.
sub-menu.
The options here allow you to change the animations for various Explorer actions, including: Copying a
file, moving a file, deleting a file, emptying the Recycle Bin, deleting a file (final), setting file attributes,
and downloading a file. You can view the current animation for each action in the preview area (center
of window). There are three main areas of this tab; 1. Which animations are displayed, 2. List of actions
of animations, and 3. Menu of skins (bottom of window).
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Changing an Animation
Some skins include animations and you have the option to select which animations are displayed; the
current skin (i.e. Classic) or the animations you select from a different skin (i.e. Molten). The following
table explains your options:
Action
What it does
Always use the animations
defined in the current skin.
(Default) Uses the animations included in the visual style (skin) you
tab. If the skin doesn't include any
applied on the
animations, the default Windows XP animations will be displayed in
Explorer windows. If changing to this option after having a different
.
animation applied, click on
If the skin has animations defined
then use it, otherwise use the
animations selected below.
Uses the animations included in the visual style (skin) you applied
tab. If the skin doesn't include any animations,
on the
WindowBlinds will use the animations you select from the
menu. After selecting this option, click on an action from the pulldown menu, then select a skin (menu on bottom) and click on
.
Always use the animations
selected below.
Uses the animations you select from the menu. After selecting this
option, click on an action from the pull-down menu, then select a
.
skin (menu on bottom) and click on
To change an animation, you need to either select "If the skin has animations defined then use it,
otherwise use the animations selected below" OR "Always use the animations selected below". To
determine if the skin has any new built-in animations, select it from the menu and see if anything is
displayed in the preview area (see below for an example) for the action. If there is animation for the
action you want to replace, then you should select "Always use the animations selected below", otherwise
you will just see the skin's animations. If nothing is displayed in the preview, that skin uses the standard
Windows XP animations.
Next, click on the pull-down menu (right-side, under preview area) and select an action from the list.
Selecting a different skin's animations will change all of the animations for all of the actions listed in the
pull-down menu.
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As an example, clicking on the "Recycle bin empty" in the action list and selecting the "Molten" skin will
show this preview:
To apply this set of animations from the Molten skin, simply click on
.
Returning to Default Skin Animations
If you changed the animations to a different skin (i.e. Molten) from what your current skin is (i.e.
Classic), you can change back to the current skin animations. To do this, click on "Always use the
.
animations defined in the current skin" and click
Changing to Default OS Animations
If you want to use the default Microsoft XP animations instead of the current skin (i.e. Classic), select
"Always use the animations selected below.". Then click on the "Default Animations by Microsoft" (far
. You won't see any preview, but the actual animations will be
left on the menu) and click
changed when you apply the changes.
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Wallpapers: Change My Wallpaper
menu option near the top of the window.
there are two tabs on the sub-menu: "Change my wallpaper" and "Random wallpaper
Under
settings". These options allow you to preview and change your wallpaper. Plus, you can have your
wallpaper change to different ones randomly. You can select which random wallpapers or all of them
and how often you want them changed (i.e. every hour, logon, morning, every Monday).
Change My Wallpaper
By default, the
tab is shown after clicking on the
menu option. This tab allows
you to: see a list (menu at bottom) of the different wallpapers found on your computer, click on one to
preview it (larger screenshot in center of screen), change back to the skin's wallpaper (if available) set
tags (i.e. keywords) for each wallpaper, filter by tag (if you just want to see ones with plants for
example), manage tags, tell WindowBlinds where to look for wallpaper, and alternate between a grid
view & preview mode.
Like the other tabs, the large area in the center is the preview area. This allows you to see a larger
image of the selected wallpaper. Below the preview is the resolution (i.e. 1280x1024 pixels) and possibly
a monitor ratio (i.e. 5:4). When choosing new wallpaper, select one for the resolution of your monitor for
best results. If it doesn't exist, choose the next closest size. You can select any size wallpaper, but
resolutions different from yours may not appear correctly (i.e. missing some of the image at the borders,
wallpaper doesn't cover entire monitor screen).
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Use the horizontal scroll bar (bottom of screen) to see thumbnails (small version of image) of the
wallpapers WindowBlinds has found on your computer. Then click on an image to see it in the preview
area. To apply wallpaper to your desktop, either double-click on the small thumbnail (or large preview)
.
image or select the image & click on
When WindowBlinds is first installed, none of the wallpapers on your computer have any tags associated
with them. This allows you to set whatever tags (keywords) you want for each image. WindowBlinds
comes with these tag categories: Animals, Plants, Water, Abstract, Food, Light, and Dark. You can also
create your own tags. First, select the wallpaper (seen above) by right-clicking on it. You will see a
small menu appear:
In the previous example, a scene with hills, plant life and blue sky was visible. Check the box for
"Plants". Now click on "Manage tags" to add a new tag and the following menu (dialog box) will appear.
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Adding a Tag
To add a new tag, click the
button and you will be asked for the new "Tag name". So we type
to accept. (To abort, click either
or the close
icon.)
in "Sky" and click
Now the new tag appears in the "Manage tags" window:
Deleting a Tag
If you ever want to delete a tag, locate & click on the tag in the list, then click
. You will be
asked to confirm, click
to delete it. (Otherwise, click
or
to cancel to close and return
to the previous window.)
Click on
to close the "Manage tags" window. Now right-click on the sample picture and check
the new tag we created for "Sky". Then click off the menu to close it.
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Next, locate other pictures with plant life & check the "Plants" checkbox. Now, click on "Filter by tags"
(lower, right side of window):
You will see another small menu appear:
This menu allows you to limit which images (wallpapers) you want to see, based on tags (categories).
Check the ones you want to see, uncheck the ones you don't. "** Untagged **" means WindowBlinds
will display any images that don't have any tags set yet. This is handy so you can give tag(s) to those
missing ones. Now uncheck all but "Plants", then click off the menu to see the updated list of images.
You should see only the images you checked the "Plants" tag for on each image.
If you click "Filter by tags" again, then uncheck "Plants" and click off the menu (to close it), you will see
only image(s) matching the "Sky" tag:
To view all of the images again, click on "Filter by tags" and check each tag in the list, so all of them are
checked. Then close the "Filter by tags" menu and all of the images will appear again.
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Wallpaper Settings
Locate & click on the Wallpaper Settings
icon (near "Filter by tags") and a window will open.
WindowBlinds will display a list of the folders on your hard-drive where it's looking for images (i.e. .BMP,
.JPG format). You can uncheck (don't use) existing folders, and check folders (use these).
You can also tell it to look in other folders by clicking
or
to abort.)
(Click
, browse to it, and then click
.
. The
You can also delete a folder in "Wallpaper settings" by selecting the folder, and clicking
last option is changing how the wallpaper is displayed on your monitor, the options are: Smart mode (let
WindowBlinds determine what is best), Stretch (fit screen resolution), Tile (repeat smaller copies on
screen) and Centre (Center on screen, in case the image won't fill the screen).
After making any changes on the "Wallpaper settings" window, to save changes click
.) If you made changes, click
.
cancel changes, click
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. (To
58
Grid View
The last option on the
tab is the Grid View. Locate & click on
(next to "Filter by tags")
and the large preview area will be replaced by a grid pattern of thumbnail images. If more images are
available than will fit on one screen, there will be a horizontal scroll bar of the window. Each thumbnail
will have the resolution (i.e. 1900x1440 pixels) and the possibly the screen ratio (i.e. 4:3).
To apply wallpaper to your desktop, either double-click on the thumbnail image or select the image &
. All of the same options that worked with the preview area visible will work on this
click on
screen: setting tags, filter by tags, and Wallpaper settings. To change back to the preview mode, click
icon.
the
Use Skin Wallpaper
To return to the wallpaper used by the current skin, either double-click on "Use Skin Wallpaper" (first
. If nothing happens (wallpaper didn't change), then the
item on menu) or select it & click
skin doesn't have it's own wallpaper and your can pick your own.
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Wallpapers: Random Wallpaper Settings
menu.
sub-
This tab includes options to change your wallpaper to different ones randomly. You can select which
random wallpapers or all of them and how often you want them changed (i.e. every hour, logon,
morning, every Monday).
When to Change My Wallpaper
To select how often your wallpaper is changed, click on the pull-down menu and select one from the list
by left-clicking. To stop having your wallpaper changed, click on "Never automatically change my
after making your selection.
wallpaper". Click on
Wallpapers for the Random List
To select which images are in the random list that WindowBlinds will use, you have a number of options.
If you want all of the images to be included, click on "Add all" (upper right) and a green tick (checkmark)
will be put next to each image. This indicates that wallpaper will be included in the rotation. If you want
them to appear in sequence as opposed to a random order (mixed up), check the box for "Change the
wallpapers in sequence". If you selected all of the images, but changed your mind, click "Clear all" and
the green ticks will be removed (nothing in rotation).
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Finally, to select specific images, double-click each image you want included. (Double-click again to
.
remove (undo) the tick.) When you’re ready to start the rotation, click on
Standard Windows Vista wallpapers.
MyColors theme wallpapers available if you
purchased these themes. (L-R: Pirates, Florida
State Univ., Quest, Sins of a Solar Empire)
If you have any of the Stardock MyColors themes installed, you will be able to select from those
wallpapers as well.
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Settings: Override Default Settings
menu.
sub-
This tab includes various options to override settings, naming just a few: show WindowBlinds in system
tray vs. taskbar, play sounds in skin, change taskbar to a different skin, change action on title bar and
much more. With exception of two options, everything is the same for both Windows Vista & XP (the
differences are noted). With any changes made on any of the Setting tabs, after applying changes that
affect windows or applications you may need to close the window (or application) and reopen it before
you see the new changes.
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Overriding WindowBlinds
The WindowBlinds settings you can override include:
Action
What it does
Show icon in the system tray for easy
Normally, when you close WindowBlinds by clicking the
access to WindowBlinds settings (requires button, you must locate WindowBlinds on the Start menu to
run it again (unless you have a shortcut on the desktop). An
a reboot).
easier way it to keep it running in the System Tray (lower,
right corner near clock). Double-clicking the icon will open
WindowBlinds. Right clicking & selecting Unload, will stop
WindowBlinds from running & return your skin to the
Windows classic style.
Checked, WindowBlinds icon will appear in the
System Tray (after you reboot).
Unchecked, (default) WindowBlinds won't appear in
System Tray.
Controls in application which are not
themeaware should not be skinned.
Checked, to stop applying a skin to applications that have
"Controls" (i.e. buttons, menus, pull-down menus, radio
buttons) that shouldn't be skinned.
Unchecked, (default) WindowBlinds will attempt to apply a
skin to controls that are note theme aware.
Play sounds defined by the skin (if any).
Checked, (default) if the currently applied skin includes any
.WAV sounds for its titlebar actions, WindowBlinds will
play them.
Unchecked, WindowBlinds won't play any sounds
included in the skin.
Apply the wallpaper included
with a skin (if any).
Checked, if the skin (package) includes wallpaper,
WindowBlinds will display it.
Unchecked, (default) WindowBlinds won't display any
wallpaper included in a skin.
After making any changes, click on
requires a reboot (Vista or XP).
WindowBlinds Guide
for the changes to take effect. Only the first option
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Skinning Settings
The following options affect how WindowBlinds treats the skin you have applied to your desktop:
Action
What it does
If a skin has a replacement user icon then replace Checked, (default) the skin will use its icon(s) to skin
the current user icon with the skin supplied icon. icons you have (if the skin includes them).
Unchecked, WindowBlinds won't change your icons
even if the skin includes new skins for icons.
Ignore the taskbar and startmenu defined in the
skin and use the one set below:
Checked, allows you to change what skin gets applied
to the Taskbar (bottom of screen) and Start Menu,
regardless of which skin is currently applied to your
desktop. Click on the pull-down menu to view &
select from the list of installed skins.
Unchecked, (default) WindowBlinds will apply the
current skin to the Taskbar & Start Menu.
"Skin decides taskbar size", (default) the skin
will set the size of the taskbar.
"Small taskbar size", the taskbar will appear
smaller in size.
"Large taskbar size", the taskbar will appear
larger (easier to read).
The taskbar should be sized as follows:
for the changes to take effect.
Skinning Settings (Windows XP Only)
In addition to the above options, Windows XP also includes: "Advanced.." performance options, and a
Shellstyle option. These are located to the right of the Skinning Settings we just covered. (These two
options are not visible on Windows Vista.)
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Clicking the
button will present you with the following performance related options.
Action
Enable Hyperpaint (disabled if
no hardware support).
What it does
Checked, turns Hyperpaint on which redraws windows
(applications) as you move them around the screen. More
noticeable in complex applications (i.e. MS Outlook). Depending
on the size of your monitor and video card, this may cause a
noticeable lag (slowness) to your computer.
Unchecked, (default) Hyperpaint is disabled.
Notes:
• This option is automatically disabled if your hardware
(video card) doesn't support it.
• When a per-pixel skin is applied, Hyperpaint is
automatically enabled.
Hyperpaint window resolution
Threshold (Smaller - Larger).
"Larger", Move the slider icon towards "Larger" sets how large
the window is. The larger the window, the more memory
WindowBlinds needs. Try this at different positions to find what
works best for your hardware. Slower hardware may result in
slow response.
(Middle, default position), average size windows.
"Smaller", for smaller windows, less memory needed.
Disable standard windows
animation effects.
Checked, (default) disables the effect of seeing the animation of
an application window shrinking in size and minimizing to a
place on the taskbar. When restored, you won't see the
animation of it growing larger.
Unchecked, you will see the animation of a window
minimizing/restoring from the taskbar.
Optimize resizing performance
with ClearType.
If using ClearType fonts, generally on notebooks/laptops, this
will improve the speed of resizing windows.
Checked, optimize resizing performance with ClearType.
Unchecked, (default) disables use of ClearType.
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Shellstyle (Windows XP)
When checking the box for " Always use the shellstyle defined in.." and selecting a skin from the pulldown menu, this will apply the skin to an area such as the Task Sidebar in an Explorer type window.
Below is an example of the Control Panel before & after the "Molten" skin overrides the current "Classic"
skin that was applied to the desktop. As you can see, just the task sidebar was skinned, the title bar
remains skinned yellow (Classic).
Shellstyle - current "Classic" skin applied to
title bar & task sidebar (Control Panel).
WindowBlinds Guide
Shellstyle - current "Classic" skin applied to title bar,
but "Molten" skin overrides Classic in
skinning the task sidebar.
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Titlebar Settings
These options affect the titlebar of any open window (i.e. applications, Explorer type, folders). The
titlebar is the top most frame of a window, and typically includes: an icon (far left) that if you click will
open the system menu, title of the application or window, and buttons (minimize, maximize, close).
Action
What it does
Windows should minimize to the
system tray instead of the taskbar.
Checked, when windows are minimized they will be placed as an
icon in the system tray (next to clock, lower, right-hand corner).
A single click will restore the application (open window). They will
be in order (left to right) as you use them, with most recent on
the far left.
Unchecked, (default) minimized applications will be placed on the
taskbar, not the system tray.
Action to take when double clicking
on a titlebar:
You can change what happens when you double click on the
titlebar for any window (i.e. applications, folders, Explorer) open
on your desktop. You can either leave it to the skin to decide
(default setting) or change it to a number of choices:
"Use Skin Setting" - (default) uses the skin setting (if any)
otherwise uses Windows default.
"Close Window" - closes the application.
"Minimize Window" - minimizes application to taskbar (or system
tray if you checked the previous option).
"Maximize Window" - make the application window full-screen.
"Rollup/Down Window" - Rollup makes only the titlebar remain on
desktop, while Roll Down restores the window.
"Set Always On Top" - makes the window stay in front of all other
open applications/windows.
"Show System Menu" - like clicking on the icon in the upper lefthand corner of a window, it will display the "Restore, Move, Size,
Minimize, Maximize, Close" options unless an application
presents a different menu.
"Send to bottom" - makes the window stay in behind of all other
open applications/windows.
"Send to tray" - minimizes the window to the taskbar
(or system tray if that option was selected).
Action to take when right clicking on
a titlebar:
WindowBlinds Guide
You can change what happens when you right click on the titlebar
for any window open on your desktop. You can either leave it to
the skin to decide (default setting) or change it to a number of
choices (same as above).
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Settings: Advanced User Settings
menu.
sub-
This tab includes options to: change the speed of animations (i.e. fading, pulsating), turn animations
on/off, apply textures to the background of Explorer windows, use Vista UI guidelines for menu, use 3rd
party plugins, etc.. This allows you to turn off animations if you have an older (slower) computer.
Fading
The first option allows you to turn fading on (default) or off by checking the box for "I would like controls
to fade in and out when I move the mouse on and off them". Controls are items like: buttons, menus,
checkboxes, radio buttons, etc.. With this turned on, when you move the mouse over say a checkbox,
you will see the checkbox change to the colour of the skin. When you move the mouse off the checkbox,
the colour disappears. You can control how fast or slow the colour changes by moving the slider icon
to the left (faster) or right (slower). Click the
button to return to the Normal (default) position.
for any changes to take effect.
Click
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Pulsing
This option allows you ti turn pulsing on (default) or off and set the speed of the animation. When you
have a window or dialog box that offers a choice of buttons (i.e. CLOSE, CREATE, DELETE), the button
that is the default will pulsate (or cycle) through the shades of colour for the current skin. If the "Classic"
skin is current (like in these examples), you would see the CLOSE button change in colour from the
normal gray of the plain button to light yellow to bright yellow, then back to gray. It's called a default
button, because if you hit the <Enter> key instead of clicking it with your mouse, the application would
assume you meant to choose the CLOSE button and in effect press that button. With this option turned
on, if you don't see any button pulsating, that means none of the buttons are set as a default.
Moving the slider icon to the left (faster) or right (slower) will change the speed of the pulsating
button to return to the Normal (default) position. Click
for any
animation. Click the
changes to take effect.
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Additional Options
The last set of checkboxes includes five options, with the second one (Aero window frames) available
only in Windows Vista (grayed out in XP). While the fourth option (enhanced remote desktop) is only
available in Windows XP (invisible in Vista).
Action
What it does
I want to be able to apply textures
to the back of explorer windows.
Checked, (default) allows the skin (if available) to apply (graphic)
textures to the background inside Explorer type windows.
Unchecked, textures won't be applied to the back of Explorer
windows.
I want to use Aero window frames
but keep the rest of the skin.
(Available only in Windows Vista. XP can see it, but not use it)
Checked, window frames use the standard Windows Vista Aero
theme instead of the currently applied WindowBlinds skin.
Unchecked, (default) window frames are skinned with the currently
applied WindowBlinds skin.
I would like WindowBlinds to use
Vista UI guidelines when
skinning menus.
Checked, applies Vista UI (User Interface) guidelines to menus (i.e.
transparency). The UI is what you see on the screen for an
application (i.e. frame, menu, buttons).
Unchecked, (default) WindowBlinds decides how to apply a skin to
menus, based on options you selected in WindowBlinds and what
the skin includes. Not all skins may include replacement textures for
every part of the UI.
Enable enhanced remote
desktop support.
(Available only in Windows XP)
Checked, improves compatibility with remote desktop.
Unchecked, (default) disables enhanced remote desktop support.
Allow skins to use 3rd party
plugins.
Checked, allows skins to use 3rd party plugins. 3rd party plugins
may modify the behavior of WindowBlinds, add new features to
buttons, etc.. Care should be taken when enabling this option, as a
3rd party plugin from an unknown source could damage your
computer (i.e. format hard-drive). From a trusted source, a plugin
can offer exciting possibilities.
Unchecked, (default) the use of 3rd party plugins by the skin is
disabled.
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Settings: Change the Look of an App
menu.
sub-
This tab gives you options to: skin individual applications with different skins, stop an application (app.)
from being skinned, exclude certain areas of the application from being skinned (i.e. title bar, background
bitmap, scroll bars, ...), disable per pixel borders and more. This gives you the option of not skinning
say, your mail program, while skinning the rest of the applications. Or if you’re having trouble with an
application being skinned, you can modify settings just for that one program.
As you add applications, an icon with the filename and basic reason will appear in the window. By
double-clicking on an application, you change the settings. This screen also allows you to delete
applications you previously added.
If you hold the <CTRL> (Control) key down when launching an application, you can temporarily disable it
from being skinned. However, the next time you run the app. without holding the key down,
WindowBlinds will skin the it. If you never want the app. skinned, add it here with the "Total exclusion"
box checked for "Ignore this application and do not skin it".
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71
Add Per Application Setting
Click on "Add per application setting" to locate the application you want to make changes too...
Use the Explorer window to browse to the (.exe) and click on it & it will appear next to "File name:" (or
to save the selection. (To abort, click
type in the exact filename if you know it). Next, click on
or
to close.) The "Per application settings" window is the next to appear and is where
either
you change settings for this application. Near the top, left-hand corner, the filename you selected
. (If you accidentally clicked on the wrong filename, click
to
appears as:
abort.)
WindowBlinds Guide
72
If you want to apply a different skin for this application, click on the pull-down menu
and select "Use specified skin":
(If you want to change back to the current skin, select "Use default skin". ) Next, click on
to view the list of installed skins to choose from. The default is "Disabled" (no skin specified).
Click on the desired skin, if there are different versions available, a small pull-down window will appear at
the bottom of the window to choose from:
After choosing the skin (and version, if available), click on
skin will be displayed in the upper, right corner.
. (To cancel, click
.) The Specified
and
, then minimize
WindowBlinds. Now run the application you
At this point, click
just added to see if the skin was applied correctly. If there are problems, maximize WindowBlinds and
continue with the next section.
WindowBlinds Guide
73
Modify Settings
If your having trouble with an application that you added, you can modify settings or disable it from
tab, and double click on the
being skinned to resolve the problem. From the
application to modify settings. A large list of options appears:
Action
What it does
Total Exclusion
Ignore this application and
do not skin it.
Checked, this application isn't skinned by WindowBlinds.
Unchecked, (default) this application is skinned by WindowBlinds.
Non Exclusion Options
Skin this app even if it uses
Direct3D (3D app for example).
By default, WindowBlinds won’t skin any games or applications that
use their own skins using Direct3D.
Checked, the application will be skinned, even if it uses Direct3D.
Unchecked, (default) option ignored.
Use an alternative method for
handling mouse clicks on titlebars.
Rarely, some skinned apps will ignore mouse clicks on the titlebar.
Checked, will use a different method to fix this problem.
Feature Disabling
Disable background bitmaps
for this app.
Checked, background dialog bitmaps won't be displayed.
Unchecked, (default) background bitmaps will be displayed.
Disable flat toolbars for this app.
Checked, flat toolbars will be disabled. Flat toolbars were popular in
Microsoft Office 97, but most applications don’t make use of this.
Unchecked, (default) flat toolbars used vs. the raised look.
Disable scrollbars for this app.
Checked, scrollbars won't be skinned.
Unchecked, (default) scrollbars will be skinned.
Disable titlebar skinning
for this app.
Checked, the titlebar won't be skinned.
Unchecked, (default) titlebar will be skinned.
Advanced Features
This exclusion is not inherited by
any apps launched by this app.
Checked, applications launched from this application won't have
these exclusions and will be skinned.
Unchecked, (default) applications launched from this application
will have these exclusions and won't be skinned.
Only skin this applications titlebar.
Checked, only the titlebar will be skinned, nothing else.
Unchecked, (default) the whole application will be skinned.
Never use per pixel borders
on a skin.
Checked, per pixel borders won't be used, colours will be opaque.
Unchecked, (default) skin may use per pixel (transparent) borders.
Enable if you get a
bad image error.
Checked, if you get a bad image error.
WindowBlinds Guide
74
Delete Application Setting
If you ever need to delete an application from this tab, click on the icon and click on "Delete application
setting". You will be asked to verify the removal.
will delete the application & it's settings from WindowBlinds. (To cancel, click either
Clicking
or
.)
WindowBlinds Guide
75
System Info
If you ever have problems with WindowBlinds and need to contact Stardock Support, please submit the
following information for quicker service.
Copy Text for Support
When opening an online problem ticket at Stardock Support (www.stardock.com/support/), click on
to copy the information on the
tab into the Windows Clipboard. Then
paste the text into the communication with Support. This information will help Stardock Support
understand your system much better and help in resolving your problem.
Disabling Per Pixel Borders (Vista)
To determine if your computer supports Per Pixel borders (transparency) on Windows Vista, your
hardware must has WDDM drivers and a Graphics Experience of 2.0 or better (listed on this page). If you
need to disable per pixel borders, check the box next to "Never use per pixel borders on a skin". Close
WindowBlinds and close any open applications, or folders, then reopen. You may need to reboot for
the changes to take effect.
WindowBlinds Guide
76
Disabling Per Pixel Borders (XP)
On Windows XP, your graphics hardware must support the feature and information maybe provided on
WindowBlinds and close any open applications, or folders, then reopen. You
this screen. Close
may need to reboot for the changes to take effect.
.
Corrupted Titlebar Buttons & Text Backgrounds (XP)
If you find you have corrupted titlebar buttons and text backgrounds (strange graphics) in applications,
or windows, check the box for "Enable if you have corrupted titlebar buttons & text backgrounds". Close
WindowBlinds and close any open applications, or folders, then reopen. You may need to reboot
WindowBlinds Guide
77
About
This tab includes options to: get the version number of WindowBlinds, visit the Stardock website, change
the colour of WindowBlinds itself (called the User Interface) and change the language used in
WindowBlinds.
The version number of WindowBlinds that you have installed is displayed in the middle of the screen
tab.
under "WindowBlinds". This is the same information found on the
Stardock Website
To visit the Stardock website, simply click anywhere in the center of this screen and your web browser
will display the website (www.stardock.com) if your connected to the internet.
Changing the User Interface Colour
To change the colour used within WindowBlinds itself, move the slider
colour.
along the bar to the desired
Changing the Language
To change the language within WindowBlinds, click on the pull-down menu (lower right corner) and
select the language of choice.
WindowBlinds Guide
78
Appendix A: Display Properties (Windows XP)
The primary way to run WindowBlinds is via the Start Menu or desktop icon. However, with version 4
and older of WindowBlinds the only way was through the Display Properties. With WindowBlinds 6 that
method is still possible in Windows XP (not Vista), however it lacks a lot of features found in the standalone version. This section describes how to alter skins via Display Properties. You should have read all
sections of this manual to understand this section. It won't go into detail on each feature, but will refer
(link) you to the section in the WindowBlinds Guide where the features are fully explained. The Classic
skin has been applied, unless otherwise noted.
Display Properties
There are different ways into Display Properties, but one of the quickest is to right-click on the open
desktop (no icon or window selected) and select Properties.
(An alternate method is to click on the Start menu, select Control Panel, then Appearance and Themes,
then Display.) The first tab in Display Properties is "Themes" and is shown below with the differences
before & after WindowBlinds was installed. The only change on this tab is that the "Theme" goes from
"Windows XP" (before) to "Modified Theme" (after installation).
Display Properties - Themes tab.
Before WindowBlinds installed.
WindowBlinds Guide
Display Properties - Themes tab.
After WindowBlinds installed, notice the
"Modified Theme" in the Theme menu.
79
Appearance Tab
The main area to make changes is on the Appearance tab and includes a number of changes seen
below. First, if you click in the preview area your web browser will open & display the Stardock website
a skin from disk,
a skin,
(if you're connected to the internet). There are four new buttons:
launches the stand-alone WindowBlinds program and the Gamma
Adjustment. The
button now has a new screen of features. Only the
button is the same. The pulldown menus include: "Windows and buttons" which displays a list of WindowBlinds Visual Styles (skins),
"Color scheme" includes the Substyles and "Font size" remains the same.
Display Properties - Appearance tab.
Before WindowBlinds installed.
Display Properties - Appearance tab.
After WindowBlinds installed.
Changing the Skin
To change the skin, simply click on the pull-down menu under "Windows and buttons" and select the
desired skin. The preview will be updated with that skin, then click on
to update your desktop.
will apply the changes and close Display Properties. While clicking
will abort
(Clicking
any changes and close Display Properties.)
Changing the Substyle
To change the substyle for the selected skin (if any exist), click on the "Color scheme" pull-down menu
and select the desired substyle. The preview will be updated with the new color scheme and clicking
will change your desktop. If a skin doesn't have any available substyles, the pull-down menu
will be grayed out. (See Look & Feel: Visual Styles - Substyles for more explanation on Substyles.)
WindowBlinds Guide
80
Gamma Adjustment
After clicking the Gamma
Adjustment button, the following window opens which includes options to
change the: colouring, gamma (similar to contrast), invert colours and even remove all colouring (i.e.
grayscale). If both "Enable skin colouring" and "Enable HSL colouring" are checked, changes to colouring
are made using the Hue & Saturation sliders . You can also select options from the "Default Colour
will save changes, while
will cancel and close. (See Look
Levels" pull-down menu. Clicking
& Feel: Colours for more explanation about these options in this section.)
Action
Do this
Enable skin colouring.
Checked, (default) allows you to change the colouring of the skin by
selecting colours from a basic or advanced palette.
Unchecked, colouring changes are disabled.
Enable HSL colouring.
Checked, (default) allows you to use advanced options to change the
colouring. Move the slider icon for Hue and Saturation while watching
the preview area behind. You may need to move the Gamma
Adjustment window so you can see the preview while you made the
desired changes. You can also select an option from the pull-down
menu to make colours: richer, less rich, custom, or back to default.
Enable gamma adjustment.
Checked, allows you to move the slider to the desired setting (Darker
to Lighter). Gamma is similar to contrast.
Unchecked, (default) gamma will be set by the skin.
Invert colours in skin.
Checked, changes the colours to opposites on the colour scale. So the
Classic yellow skin will turn blue.
Unchecked, (default) disables this option.
Greyscale colours in skin.
Checked, removes colour from the skin and only displays shades of grey
(gray) between black & white.
Unchecked, (default) disables this option.
WindowBlinds Guide
81
On the "Gamma Adjustment" window, if you check the box for "Enable skin colouring" and uncheck
. Now click the Gamma
Adjustment button again, you
"Enable HSL colouring", then click
will see a small menu of colour choices. Clicking on any of the colours in the box will change the
preview. Clicking off the little window (i.e. on Display Properties, desktop, ...) will close it.
Clicking the
button will open the "Gamma Adjustment" window.
You can also move the slider icon between 0% - 100% to change the gamma level in the colour.
Watch the preview change as you move the slider.
If you uncheck the box at the top for "Enable Colouring", you won't be able to change the colouring.
button to display a full colour picker window. With it you can
Finally, you can also click the
select one of the basic colours or move the cursor (crosshair) and/or arrow to a new colour and click the
to have it added to a "Custom colors" box. Or you can type in numeric values for
RGB (Red, Green, Blue) and even HSL (Hue, Sat, Lum) into the boxes. All values must be between 0 to accept the colour. (Clicking
255, with 0 being the darkest & 255 the lightest. Then click
or
will abort and close the window.)
On the "Display Properties" window and after making changes, click
to apply the changes to your
desktop & close "Display Properties". Or click the
to apply the changes & keep "Display
or
will abort changes and close the window.)
Properties" open. (Clicking
WindowBlinds Guide
82
Changing the Font
Your choices for changing the font size under the "Font size" pull-down menu are very limited. However,
button, which will be covered later under "Advanced
you can override skin settings under the
Settings" in this Appendix. The choices in the "Font size" pull-down menu are standard Windows XP
choices.
Adding a New Skin
To add a new skin from your hard-drive, click the
button and an Explorer window will open. Use it
to locate the new skin file (.WBA or .ZIP file format) on your computer system (i.e. hard-drive, flash
drive, network drive). Then click
to add it or
to abort. The best way to install new skins
is either through Display Properties or WindowBlinds itself.
Deleting a Skin
To delete a skin, you must first select it from the "Windows and buttons" pull-down menu. Then click the
button and confirm by selecting either
(to delete) or
(to cancel). If you try to
delete a skin that's currently applied to your desktop, it will instruct you to apply a different skin first.
You can't delete the current skin.
Deleting a skin.
Launching Stand-alone WindowBlinds
To run the stand-alone version of WindowBlinds, simply click the
button. The Display Properties
window will close and the
tab will be displayed. (See Look & Feel: Visual Styles for more
explanation about the stand-alone version.)
Effects
The
are the standard Windows XP effects.
WindowBlinds Guide
83
Advanced Settings
Clicking the
button will open the "Advanced Settings" window which allows you to make various
changes, including: setting taskbar size, font overrides, XP overrides, disabling fonts on controls
(i.e. buttons, check boxes), skinning select applications and more.
WindowBlinds Guide
84
Action
What it does
Advanced Settings
Force colouring support on all skins.
Checked, (default) forces colouring support on all skins.
Unchecked, disables this feature.
Make toolbar buttons 'flat'.
Checked, toolbar buttons will appear flat vs. the raised look.
Unchecked, (default) toolbar buttons will appear normal.
Show user icon in startpanel
(if not domain).
Checked, (default) user icon will be shown in Start menu.
However, if your computer is joined to a domain (on a network)
you won’t see this icon.
Unchecked, disables this feature.
Skin decides taskbar size.
Select from the pull-down menu to make the taskbar small,
large or let the skin decide:
Font Overrides
I want to .... (change font size)
Select from the pull-down menu what size to make the fonts,
overriding the skin. The default size is what the skin decides or
the Windows default.
All skin defined fonts to be
replaced by...
You can replace all fonts in the skin by selecting one from this
list of installed fonts. Selecting "Leave skin fonts alone" lets the
skin decide what fonts to use.
Disable font special effects on controls. Checked, special effects on controls will be disabled.
Unchecked, (default) skin will may use special effects.
Clicking
opens the "Font" window, which allows
you to select the new: Font, Font style, Size and Script. Clicking
after making changes or
abort changes & close
the "Font" window.)
Clicking
when clicking
WindowBlinds Guide
will reset the titlebar font you changed
back to the default.
85
XP Overrides
Always use the XP taskbar defined in...
Select a different skin from the pull-down menu to skin the
taskbar. Selecting "Disable XP style Taskbar" disable the
standard XP style.
Always use the shellstyle defined in...
Change the skin that is applied to the shellstyle by selecting one
from the pull-down menu. The "shellstyle" is on the left-side of
Explorer type windows. (See Look & Feel: Settings Override Shellstyle for an example.)
Only skin controls in themeaware apps. Checked, skin will only be applied to applications that are aware
of themes (skins).
Unchecked, (default) skin will be applied to all applications.
Other Advanced Features
Only skin apps in the inclusion list.
Only applications added to the list will be skinned. Click
and locate the applications .EXE, then click
.
(Click
or
to abort.) To delete an application from the
. You won't be asked to
list, select it and click on
confirm your decision!
Clicking
will open the standard Windows XP
Advanced Appearance window. Refer to Windows Help for
these options.
WindowBlinds Guide
86
Appendix B: Language Translation
WindowBlinds supports a number of languages, and will load the same language as your Windows
system. However, if your language isn't found, WindowBlinds will by default load the English versions of:
prompts, descriptive text, etc. This section describes how you can translate from any language currently
supported by WindowBlinds into your own language.
Each language is stored by name with the extension .LNG6 in the "lang" (without quotes) folder under
the WindowBlinds folder. The full default path is:
Windows Vista or XP:
C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object Desktop\WindowBlinds\lang
This path maybe different if you installed to a different drive & folder.
Under the \WindowBlinds\lang folder for English is a file called: English.lng6. This is a Unicode text file,
which Notepad in Vista & XP can read correctly. In Windows Explorer double-click this file, and at the
prompt "Windows cannot open this file", select "Select a program from a list of installed programs." and
. Select Notepad, then uncheck the box for "Always use the selected program to open this
click
kind of file" and click
to open the file. Each line is numbered and contains text following the
equals sign enclosed in quotes that has to be translated.
Examples:
A1="Look & Feel"
58010="View my system information"
A38="Apply my changes"
Save the file as the name of the language your translating it to and give it the extension .LNG6 (i.e.
English.lng6) lowercase is fine, uppercase shown for clarity.
There are some lines that include special commands for WindowBlinds, they consist of one or two
ampersand signs (&) followed by a word without a space, please leave these in place as you translate.
Also, the pipe (|) symbol is special. When translating make sure you leave the opening & closing quotes
around the text. The lines are as follows, but there maybe others in software upgrades:
Examples:
232="&Performance..."
233="&Backgrounds"
9002="Enable if you have corrupted titlebar buttons && text backgrounds"
234="&Modify per application setting"
1000 = "&Configure WindowBlinds"
1007 = "&Unload WindowBlinds"
The Pipe:
52="Applications (*.exe)|*.exe||" <--- "|" (pipe) and "||" (double pipe) symbols.
80="WindowBlinds Skin Archives (*.WBA,*.ZIP)|*.WBA;*.ZIP||"
114="WindowBlinds Skin Archives (*.WBA,*.ZIP)|*.WBA;*.ZIP||"
Normal ampersand signs (short for the word "and") as part of the grammar will have a blank space on
both sides.
A1="Look & Feel"
A9="Transparency & Blur"
WindowBlinds Guide
87
Languages Already Translated
None at this time.
Submitting a translated file to Stardock
You can send your translated file to Stardock and it may be included in updated versions or as a separate
download. Do this by attaching the file to an email, including: this is for WindowBlinds 6, what language
it is in and sending it to:
[email protected]
Thank you very much for you assistance, we appreciate your help.
WindowBlinds Guide
88
Reference
Glossary
Blur - when blur is added to a transparent area, it makes objects (i.e. text, icons, wallpaper) behind look
fuzzy. Without blur, the objects appear sharp in detail and text is readable.
Full transparency and blur.
Full transparency, no blur.
Brightness - how light or dark a colour is (source: Wikipedia.org Color).
Color / Colour (British spelling) - the same meaning. Windows colour is broken down into Red, Green &
Blue (RGB) with numerical values from 0 - 255. Black has RGB values of 0,0,0 while white is RGB
255,255,255. Additional settings include Hue, Saturation, Light (HSL) with ranges from 0 - 255.
Colour Masks – a technical term, which allows the colorizing of skins.
Dialog Box - asks you do something, such as this "Delete tag" box. It's a simple Yes or No (or Close) and
includes: window frame, titlebar, and buttons that can be skinned:
Font - the style of each letter, number, or character in the alphabet.
Greyscale / grayscale - are the shades of gray between black & white.
Hue - the tint of a colour.
Opacity - is the blocking of light from passing through the object. So if the titlebar is totally opaque or
solid in colour, you can't see through it. The opposite of totally opaque is to be transparent (see
through).
Preset - is a way to save settings made to colouring & transparency settings for individual skins. You can
create multiple presets for each skin, handy if you have more than one person using the same computer
or you want different setups.
Saturation - can be described as the purity of a colour or the intensity or "the degree of difference from a
gray of the same lightness or brightness" (American Heritage Dictionary, www.dictionary.com). Changes
the colour to make it very bright to very dull/dark looking.
Skin - (same as Visual Style) are the computer graphics (i.e. colour, style) of the areas covered by the
skin (i.e. window frames, toolbar icons, menus, buttons, ...).
WindowBlinds Guide
89
System Tray - is (by default) in the lower, right-hand corner of your screen with the clock.
Taskbar - is (by default) located on the bottom on your desktop and may include minimized applications /
windows. The Start button (to open the Start menu) is located on the far left.
Texture - is used to refer to the colouring & pattern of the skin's graphics.
Titlebar - is the top most frame of a window, and typically includes: an icon (far left) that if you click will
open the system menu, title of the application or window, and buttons (minimize, maximize, close) on the
far right.
Transparency - allows you to see thru an object, depending on what level the transparency is set too.
The opposite of transparent is opacity (solid in colour).
UI - the User Interface (UI) is what you see on the screen when an application runs, such as: window,
frame, title bar, buttons, various types of menus, fonts, colours, etc..
UIS1/UIS2/etc. – These are the different types of skins, they include: UIS1 (basic skin), Perpixel UIS1,
UIS2, Perpixel UIS2) is displayed at the top of the menu. "Perpixel UIS2" are very common for newer
skins. The "Perpixel" means the skin supports semi-transparent frames, rather than the usual basic
shaped frames.
Visual Style - is the computer graphics (i.e. colour, style) of the areas covered by the skin (i.e. window
frames, toolbar icons, menus, buttons, ...).
Wallpaper - is the graphic image (or color) of the background on your desktop (monitor).
Window Frame - is around each window, each skin can change the colour and style of this frame.
Resources
forums.stardock.com - Stardock message forums.
www.wincustomize.com - the best place to get additional skins and participate in message forums.
wiki.wincustomize.com/wiki/WindowBlinds – current manual, free tutorials and more.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windowblinds - additional information and history of WindowBlinds.
www.skinstudio.net - an easy to use tool for creating new, and editing existing skins.
www.stardock.com/products/directskin/ - for developers to make their applications skinnable.
WindowBlinds Guide
90
Problems?
Action
Do this
I’ve lost my serial number.
Please visit www.stardock.com/support/ or email
[email protected].
I have questions after
reading this manual.
There are different ways to get help. You can visit the message
forums on www.wincustomize.com and talk to other users. Or you
can join the IRC live chat at irc.stardock.com and join channels
including: #stardock, and #wincustomize.
One of my applications has visual
or other problems after applying a
skin to it. How do I fix it?
Refer to the section Settings: Change the Look of an App and add
the application’s .EXE to the list. There you can isolate the program
and try different setting changes (i.e. disabling per pixel borders,
applying a basic UIS1 skin, …) or excluding it from being skinned.
I have ZipMagic and can’t
double-click the ZIP of a
new skin to install it.
You need to rename the .ZIP to .WBA, and then double-click to
install using Windows Explorer. ZipMagic treats ZIP’s as folders and
prevents WindowBlinds from installing the skin correctly.
How do I turn off WindowBlinds so WindowBlinds can be unloaded from memory (stop it from running),
it’s not skinning anything on my
so it doesn’t modify or change anything on your system. It also will
computer?
change your skin to the Windows Classic theme for Vista or XP.
If WindowBlinds is minimized to the system tray (near clock), rightclick it and select “Unload”. It will change to Windows Classic
theme until your next reboot, then it will revert to Windows Aero
(Vista) or XP Style (XP).
Alternately, you can create a shortcut (Vista or XP) to WBLOAD.EXE
and in the shortcut, append to the “Target” the command
“UNLOAD” (without quotes, must be in uppercase).
Example:
"C:\Program Files\Stardock\Object
Desktop\WindowBlinds\wbload.exe" UNLOAD
Instead of “UNLOAD”, if you append “UNLOADGLASS” it will unload
and change to the Windows Aero theme (Vista) or Windows XP
Style (XP).
Where are the Per App Application
settings stored on my hard-drive?
WindowBlinds Guide
They are stored as a .INI text file that Notepad can open in:
Vista: (C: drive is the default)
C:\Users\Public\Documents\Stardock\WindowBlinds\wbperapp.ini
XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\All
Users\Documents\Stardock\WindowBlinds\wbperapp.ini
91

WindowBlinds 6 Guide

Transcription

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